Jump to section
Key takeaways
- CFP® is the most widely recognized financial-planning credential in the U.S.
- Requires a bachelor's degree, a 7-course curriculum, the CFP® exam, 6,000 hours of experience, and ongoing CE.
- CFP® professionals owe fiduciary duty under CFP Board standards when providing financial advice.
- Verify any planner's status at letsmakeaplan.org, the CFP Board's verification site.
How Olomon thinks about this
Olomon was designed to make CFP® work better. With a unified household record, your planner spends less time gathering data and more time on advice — and the household keeps full ownership of and visibility into the plan, the assumptions, and the documents behind it.
In-depth definition
The CFP® mark identifies planners who have invested significantly in their craft and accepted ongoing fiduciary, ethics, and continuing-education obligations. It is not a guarantee of fit or quality, but it is a strong baseline credential to look for in a planner who will build and execute a comprehensive plan.
Frequently asked questions
Under current CFP Board standards, CFP® professionals must act as fiduciaries when providing financial advice. Confirm in your engagement letter and watch for any limitations on the fiduciary scope.
Sources
Primary, authoritative references.
- 1
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
About CFP® CertificationCited for: Authoritative source for credential requirements
- 2
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
Code of Ethics & Standards of ConductCited for: CFP® fiduciary duty
Continue exploring
Related terms
More from Financial Planning & Collaboration.
Cite this page
APAOlomon Editorial Team. (2026). Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Olomon Financial Glossary. https://olomon.com/financial-glossary/certified-financial-planner-cfp